Pocahontas County History Preservation, Digitization, Community

Capture of Thomas Wilson, p. 568, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

About 1750 John Wilson and Bowyer Miller located on Jacksons River, in what is now Highland County, Va. Mr Wilson settled at the mouth of Peak of Stony Run, while Miller located at Wilsonville, farther up. During Braddock's war Mr Miller refugeed to Tinkling Spring, and finally across the Blue Ridge, leaving land, house, and property uncared for.

About 1756 Mr Wilson refugeed near Greenville, taking his movable property with him, but finding it impossible to get subsistence, sent his horses and cattle back and employed some one to do the rauging and salting. We hear nothing more of him. In a year or two his family ventured to return and took up their abode on the east bank of the river, some two hundred yards perhaps below the crossing leading to the Bolar Spring. The Indians then raided their home about the year 1760.

This John Wilson, the pioneer, was the grandfather of the the late William Wilson, whose daughters Charlotte and Susan married Adam and Washington Stephenson, citizens of Highland County.

The Mayse Family, p 561, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

In 1765 the Indians raided the Mayse home in Bath County, a few miles from Bath Alum. Joseph Mayse, aged 13 years, his mother, an unknown white girl and Mrs Sloan and her infant were taken prisoners.

About five or six miles from the Mayse residence the party halted on the top of a high ridge by a large rock to rest awhile. The Indian leader, an old man, sat on this rock. Around his shoulders hung a bear's intestine filled with cornmeal mush. This he would squeeze out and eat for his lunch. Thence the Indians proceeded on a bee line westward over the Warm Springs Mountain, and on the evening of the first day camped on Muddy Run, about five miles north east of the Warm Springs.

On the second day they crossed Jacksons River near Warwickton, Back Creek Mountain, and camped near the mouth of Little Back Creek, now Mountain Grove. The boy prisoner, Joseph Mayse, was placed to sleep between two warriors. He was made very uncomfortable by a large root of the tree under which they had lain down to sleep. His sufferings becoming too painful to endure, he took one of the Indians by the hand and placed it on the source of his misery. He understood the trouble and made the other lie over and give young prisoner a softer place to sleep.

"Mad Ann," p. 579, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

March 22, 1858, it was the writer's pleasure to visit Mrs Smith, the aged mother of the late William Smith, who resided five and a half miles north of Covington, on Jackson's River. She had been well acquainted with "Mad Ann," and related some recollections of this noted character of pioneer history.

She was of English birth, and claimed to have hailed from Liverpool. Her first husband was a Mr Trotter, who was drowned in Jacksons River near the residence of the late Squire Alexander McClintic. The water was quite shallow, but being in a state of intoxication he perished in the ripples, leaving a widow and two sons, William and John. William Trotter, in 1858, was living at Point Pleasant.

Mrs Trotter lived awhile as one of the nearest neighbors of the Smith family. Her property was a little rude log hut, three acres of arable land, two cows, two pigs, and a horse. Before her reason became impaired she was a person of fine sense, and was much better educated than the generality of females at her day. As to her moral reputation in later life, she was not on a par with Caesar's wife—above suspicion. Yet she paid her debts, would not steal, or seek revenge for any insult in stealthy ways.

Lackey's Song, p. 577, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

On page 567 reference is made to one Lackey singing the "Shawnee Battle Song," commemorative of the battle of Point Pleasant. As a matter of curiosity the words are herewith reproduced.

Let us mind the tenth day of October,
'Seventy-four, which caused woe,
The Indian savages they did cover
The pleasant banks of the Ohio.

The battle beginning in the morning,
Throughout the day it lasted sore
Until the evening shades were returning down
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Judgment proceeds to execution,
Let fame throughout all dangers go,
Our heroes fought with resolution,
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Seven score lay dead and wounded
Of champions that did face the foe,
By which the heathen were confounded
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Colonel Lewis and some noble Captains
Did down to death like Uriah go:
Alas ! their heads wound up in napkins,
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Kings lamented their mighty fallen
Upon the mountains of Gilboa,
And now we mourn for brave Hugh Allen,
Far from the banks of the Ohio.

Oh bless the mighty King of Heaven
For all his wondrous works below:
Who hath to us the victory given
Upon the banks of the Ohio.

Huntersville--The First County Seat, p. 586, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

For a number of years previous to the organization of the county, in 1821, Huntersville had been a public place, as merchants and tradesmen from the east would arrange to meet the hunters here and barter goods for the proceeds of the chase. It was suggested by some that Smithville would be an appropriate name for the county seat, for apparent historical reasons. The present name Huntersville, however, was strenuously insisted upon by John Bradshaw and his friends, as a special compliment to the hunters that swarmed there during the trading season, and to whose presence and patronage the place owed very much for its prosperous development.

Captain James Ewing, p. 611, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

The Ewing family of Pocahontas County and vicinity was founded by James Ewing, born near Londonderry, Ireland, of Scotch parents, about 1720. He came to Virginia as a young man, and there married Margaret Sargent, of Irish birth, who bore him live children: Jennie, who married Clendennnin, Susan who married Moses Moore, Elizabeth who married George Dougherty, John, and William. John was born in 1747. At the time of the Clendennin massacre in Greenbrier County, John, a mere lad, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and carried into the Ohio country. There he was adopted into an Indian tribe, baptized according to Indian custom, and given an Indian name. But John's Scotch-Irish blood was not easily converted to Indian, and when a returning party of warriors brought back as a curiosity an English Bible, he explained to them that it was the word of God. The Indians asked whether his God was an Indian or a white man, and when John answered that he was a white man, they would no longer listen to his reading the book.

Major Andrew Crouch, p. 564, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

May 5, 1857, the writer paid a visit to the late Major Andrew Crouch, at the time regarded the oldest person in Tygart's Valley. He lived near the mouth of Elkwater, Randolph County. Among the interesting items he gave us was one in reference to land title.

Near the old Huttonsville brick church one James Warwick built a pole cabin and cleared a potato patch, in virtue of which he claimed the whole bottom contiguous. John and William White, two brothers, asserted their claim to the same land. It was finally decided to settle the dispute by a fair fight, fist and skull. Mr Warwick, being a small man, proposed to Joseph Crouch—or rather to his father—to exchange lands with him. He did so, and moved on to the tract. The Whites came on soon after to drive him away. After some wrangling it was finally agreed upon to settle the dispute by a fight, provided Andrew Crouch would accept the challenge, Joseph Crouch being somewhat deficient in pluck.

The ground was chosen for the contest, and John White was sent to inform Andrew Crouch of the arrangement. He accepted the challenge and defeated William White. The title was settled, and the parties were very friendly ever afterwards.

William White would frequently visit the home of Andrew Crouch, Senior, and the Major had a vivid remembrance of the impression White's appearance made upon his youthful mind as he walked the floor, he was so very tall and portly.

Battle Near Crab Bottom, p. 575 Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

The writer received the following items of history from the late William McClintic, Esq., of Bath County. This gentleman was a prominent citizen, and accepted most of the important county offices in the gift of his fellow citizens, and he had a passion for history. He has a grandson living in our county. Dr F. T. McClintic, who ranks high as a physician.

Mr McClintic says that when the Indians gained their victory near the mouth of Falling Spring Run, in Alleghany, 1768, they were so elated that one hundred and eighty warriors pressed on as far as Kerr's Creek, where some persons were slain and others taken prisoners. On their return they crossed the Warm Springs Mountain near the springs, and camped close by the springs. The next day they camped on Back Creek, near the place where John Gwin resided a few years since, eight or ten miles above Mountain Grove.

As soon as possible, three companies under Captains Lewis, Dickinson, and Christie started in pursuit. Christie's company was from near Waynesboro. The Indians were followed to the north fork of the South Branch of the Potomac. The scouts discovered the encampment not far from Harper's Mill. Strange to say the Indians seemed to be heedless of danger. Some were dressing deer skins, mending or making moccasins, some cooking and hunting and fishing.

From the County Records, p. 607, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

At April Term, 1826, two gentlemen were indicted for horse racing on the public road.

Against another for retailing spiritous liquors by the small measures without a license therefor.

A list of the rates fixed for ordinaries: Whiskey by the half pint 12 1/2c, French brandy half pint 25c, rum per gill 25c, apple brandy 12 1/2c, peach brandy 183/4c, wines 25c, diet by the meal 25c, grain by the gallon 12 1/2c, hay for 24 hours 12 1/2c, lodging 12c.

The crop of old wolf scalps for 1825-6 amounted to twenty-one at $5 each.

James Brindly is allowed $7 for traveling to Lewisburg for stovepipes.

Surveyors of the county roads were allowed 6£ cents for each day necessarily employed: William Brock, 62£c for 10 days; James Waugh 25c for 4 days, etc.

June, 1827 a levy of $49 was laid and John Bradshaw and Samuel Hogsett commissioners were appointed to let out the erection of the public stocks and pillory.

The court seems to have the power to license preachers and gentlemen to celebrate the rites of matrimony by taking a bond of $1500.

Everyone has heard of Major Jacob Warwick's famous servant Ben who accompanied him on all his warring, hunting and surveying trips, and to whom his master granted his freedom. At the August court the following order was entered in reference to his life and character:

Conclusion, p. 618, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

It may not be inappropriate at this time to embody in this book some facts concerning the development of the county in the last decade of the 19th century, which were momentous years for Pocahontas County.

In December, 1890, an epoch marking snow fell, making it the "winter of the deep snow." While it lay on the ground to the depth of three feet or more, Colonel John T. McGraw, of Grafton, made a visit to this county and purchased the farms known as Marlins Bottom for a town site. Five families lived on the land now occupied as the site of the town of Marlinton. The name of the post office had been changed a few years before from Marlin's Bottom to Marlinton. Mrs Janie B. Skyles, a Maryland lady, who was living here, being instrumental in effecting the change. It was bitterly opposed by some of the older citizens, who objected to the giving up of the descriptive and historic name of Marlins Bottom.

The purchase of the town site by Colonel McGraw was the first intimation that county people had of proposed railway developments. The plan was that the Camden System of railroads was to be extended up Williams River, across the divide at the head of Stony Creek, and to Marlinton. It was a part of the plan that the C. & O. R. R. would build an extension from the Hot Springs to Marlinton and connect with the Camden Road at that place.